It’s not easy to write about the nature of creativity. Even to discuss it seems to court danger. What if it never returns? During any good period of creativity that inevitable doubt creeps in. Generally, I try to muscle my way through in a workmanlike manner as if to brush all doubt aside.
I know that for me good things happen through the process of working. Even with a blank mind I will go to the workshop and tidy up. I sometimes rake the dust floor so that it resembles a Japanese garden. I re-organise the odd blocks lying around and blast the dust-laden surfaces with an air hose.
In 2010, I carried out the ‘100 Days’ series where I carved one hundred sculptures, each one taking a single day. I learned a lot about procrastination and fear during that time. I learned that obliging myself to work fast, and having removed the indulgence of over-thinking, the sculptures became more interesting rather than less.
The process of starting a carving is difficult but like standing before a cold pool it’s often best to jump straight in. Once started and in familiar territory I can begin to make creative decisions.
Fear is the greatest block of all to creative flow. Working whilst fearful is debilitating. Being fearful of making a mistake is a creative catastrophe. During the ‘100 Day’ series I shed the thought that every sculpture I made should be amazing. I simply didn’t have time. I have carried this liberating thought with me ever since.
